Method and apparatus for thermal processing

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for thermal processing of contaminated liquids is disclosed. The system employs an efficient and robust pulse jet burner as its basic energy source. This energy is then used to generate steam which may subsequently be used for a variety of processing and purification steps. A multiple-chamber approach is used: a burner chamber contains the pulse jet burner, a neighboring heat exchanger chamber uses this heat energy to initiate the purification process which started in a third neighboring coagulator chamber into which the contaminated fluids are initially introduced to the system. Combustible liquids which are separated from the contaminated fluids may be used to power the pulse jet for self-contained operation. High temperature flue gases from the pulse jet pass through a supercharger box and then into a vortex dryer which may have a secondary vortex dryer for initial drying of wet solid fuels.

This application claims priority from U.S. Prov. Pat. App. 62/193,577,filed Jul. 16, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technology based on thermal processing today has advanced well beyondthe campfire. Earlier technologies for the processing of waste liquidshave been distillation, reverse osmosis, micro filtration, chemicalfiltration, electro-coagulation, etc. These processes work to varyingdegrees—some better than others. Still difficult to process arecombinations of chemicals, minerals, bacteria, and heavy metalsincluding both organic and inorganic compounds—these combinations do notallow just a single process to purify and restore the water back to ausable commodity. Modern industry requires a modern solution. Mostmembrane processors and clarifying processes have major quantities ofpolluted materials that are now a concentrated and a larger liabilityafter processing. Many processes treat the suspended solid but not thedissolved solids. Membranes are easily destroyed by volatile organiccompounds. In other words, today's effluents demand a solution that isefficient, safe, and viable to effectively deal with the complexproblems created by industry today.

What the problem requires is an enhanced structure and method forreacting the targeted condition and creating a series of separations andthermal reconstructions of the targeted effluent that in turn create aseries of products from the effluents and the residual waste.

Thermal processors utilize heat for executing a desired chemical orphysical change to a substance or to things. A furnace is a type ofthermal processor that produces heat, such as by combustion of a fuel orby application of electrical energy, for application to a thing, aspace, or a substance. Other types of thermal processors receive heatenergy from an external source and condition, augment, and/or direct theheat in a desired manner.

A well-known example of a thermal processor is a residential furnacethat produces hot air or hot water for heating buildings. Another typeof thermal processor applies heat for melting or shaping a material suchas a metal for a desired purpose. Yet another type of thermal processoris used for heat-treating objects or materials (e.g., metals, glasses,and ceramics) for annealing purposes or to change a physicalcharacteristic of the objects or materials. Yet another type of thermalprocessor is used for incinerating or otherwise converting wastematerial in a manner that reduces the volume of the waste, converts thewaste to a less noxious and/or more useful material, and/or forms fromthe waste a more easily handled material.

Another type of conventional thermal processor is generally termed an“evaporator,” which receives a target material (which can be a solid orliquid) and applies heat to the target material for converting at leasta portion of the target material into a gas or vapor that can be usedfor another purpose or safely disposed. Evaporators have many uses,including separating a liquid from solids or from other substancespresent in the liquid, separating one type of liquid from a mixturecontaining at least one other type of liquid, or separating a liquidfrom a gas. For example, an evaporator used for separating a liquid fromsuspended solids in the liquid typically includes a heat source thatheats the mixture to a temperature allowing separation of the liquid(e.g., by forming a vapor from the liquid and condensing the vapor) fromthe solids.

A substantial operational challenge associated with many conventionalevaporators is dealing with the sludges and other substantially solidmaterials (usually waste materials) left behind from the evaporation.For example, a key problem with sludges and cakes is their tendency toaccumulate in locations (such as on heated surfaces) in a manner thatsubstantially reduces the efficiency or efficacy of the evaporator.

Hence, an evaporator or other thermal processor that could be placed ata well site and used for reclaiming well by-products in an efficientmanner for useful purposes would be advantageous.

Further, with respect to oil wells and other extraction sites of fossilfuels (including coal deposits), many of these sites contain substantialamounts of gaseous methane and other low-molecular-weight hydrocarbonsas byproducts of extraction of the target material from the sites. Thesites are usually poorly equipped to recover these gaseous byproducts,which almost always require treatment to make the byproductscommercially usable. Since the gaseous byproducts are usuallycombustible, if not recovered they are simply flared off or otherwisedischarged into the atmosphere without any effort being made to recoveruseful energy from them. Hence, for these and other situations, there isa need for thermal processing apparatus that would allow for recoveryand conversion of these gases and other reactive gases into a source ofheat for on-site processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide structures and methods thatlend themselves to effectively and efficiently processing the majorityof industrial waste water conditions.

A thermal processing apparatus for processing both contaminated liquidsand solid wastes, comprises a first chamber comprises a water-filledburner chamber, comprising:

a pulse jet burner, fully immersed in the water and having an inlet andan outlet; and

-   -   a steam outlet; and    -   an air-filled supercharger box configured to provide air to the        inlet and outlet of the pulse jet burner;    -   a second chamber, comprising an array of heat exchanger tubes        having a steam inlet and a steam outlet, wherein the steam inlet        is configured to receive steam from the steam outlet of the        first chamber; and    -   a third chamber, comprising an array of coagulator tubes or        plates having a steam inlet and a steam outlet, wherein the        steam inlet is configured to receive steam from the steam outlet        of the heat exchanger tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more thorough understanding of the present invention, andadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the burner chamber.

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the combustion chamber ofthe pulse jet burner.

FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fuel injector for thepulse jet burner.

FIG. 2A illustrates schematically section A-A of the burner chamber inFIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B illustrates schematically a top view of the sliding supportstructure for the pulse jet in the burner chamber.

FIG. 2C is a schematic end view of the sliding support structure for thepulse jet in the burner chamber.

FIG. 2D is a detail end view of the spring-loaded support for the pulsejet in the burner chamber.

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate various steps in the operation of a pulse jetburner.

FIG. 4 is an isometric schematic view of chambers #1-#3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of chambers #1-#3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger tube in chamber #2.

FIG. 7A is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the dry solidsprocessing chamber #4.

FIG. 7B is a top cross-sectional schematic view of the dry solidsprocessing chamber #4.

FIG. 7C shows section B-B of the dry solids processing chamber #4.

FIG. 7D is a detail view of the solids dryer component of chamber #4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view an alternativeembodiment of the pulse jet burner in the burner chamber #3.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the coagulating plates in chamber #1

FIG. 10A is a side schematic cross-section of the floating domedigester—chamber #5.

FIG. 10B is a close-up schematic diagram of heating coil detail in thefloating dome digester.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the heat exchangerchamber #2.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the Peltier effect power generationsystem.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the decanter.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the wet scrubber subsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject apparatus and methods are described in the context ofrepresentative embodiments that are not intended to be limiting in anyway.

In the following description, certain terms may be used such as “up”,“down”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right,” andthe like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide someclarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But,these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions,and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper”surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over.Nevertheless, it is still the same object.

Embodiments of the invention can eliminate the need for injection wellsand storage of contaminated materials, enabling responsible andtechnically affordable solutions. This will free future generations fromthe burden of a damaged and polluted environment. The correction andrehabilitation of the environment can be accomplished with these newenvironmentally friendly processes.

Embodiments of the invention provide a high pressure burner for use insubmerged combustion thermal processor for processing oil productionwaters.

Embodiments of the invention can provide an energy source compatiblewith the thermal recovery of waste processing gases for processingproduction and fracking water into a pure distillate for enhanced oilrecovery (EOR). In some embodiments, prior art thermal processes aremodified with a unique twist that accommodates remedies these processes'shortcomings. These shortcomings directly enhance production and becomeassets in the thermal processor of the present invention.

A thermal processor developed by the inventor in the early 1990'sdemonstrated the ability to process many fluids with variouscontaminants and emulsions that were costly to crack and offered thermalrecovery of value to add to this unique distillation process. Oil fieldsthat had low grade gases which were being flared off could easily handlethis processing needed to increase viability and provide gases for EOR.The problems of shallow recovery wells and deeper wells can beaccommodated by the availability of byproducts of this enhanceddistillation. Pressures and simplified injection are products of thismethod of recovery.

In some embodiments, the process begins with a dynamic compressor-less(“valveless pulse jet”) burner. The burner uses a shock wave to act as avalve (instead of an actual valve) to draw gases into the combustionchamber. The inlet can have a valve or a specially-shaped orifice thataccommodates the shock wave, creating an interruption of flow into theburner chamber. The pulse created by this wave creates a suction as thegases from combustion move through the burner. The shock wave also stopsincoming gas or fluid by means of the dynamic increase in energy as theshock wave expands. The combustion chamber depends on the motion of thegas moving through the tube with a lower pressure at one end to createthe flow of gases during the expansion of the shock wave. This use ofgases eliminates the need for a compressor to add air or create flow atthe same time providing enough air to maintain a proper stoichiometricfuel-air ratio.

The normal shortcomings of this type of combustion process areoverheating of the burner—this can destroy the metal and constant usewill eventually result in failure of the burner. Embodiments of theprocess of the present invention use submerged combustion to transferheat directly from the burner to the surrounding waste water material toenable a long lifetime. The combustion chamber has an insulated innershell to provide a superheated thermal mass to ensure complete oxidationof fuels—this shell may be designed using more expensive alloys ortitanium that can resist the rigors of high heat. A second outer wall indirect contact with the surrounding water may then be constructed fromless exotic metals. Exothermic reactions and oxidizers can replace thehydrocarbon reaction in the chamber and produce pure steam and carbondioxide for steam-shift processes. With minor modifications to the valveor valveless intake ports. The inner wall may comprise a catalyzingmaterial such as combinations of ceramic catalysts molded into therequired combustion chamber shape. Timed resonance can be specific forcertain reactions by using injectors and timing their frequency of fueldelivery to a specific resonance. When using gases and oxidizers orother reactants, a mechanical valve or standard reed-type valves canwork, or a sodium-filled valve can be used on the intake port. Thenormally-closed position is used in most pulse jet engines but the useof a focused shock wave can be used to close a normally-open valve, thusallowing longer life valving for these gas expansion pulse jet enginesand devices.

Other shortcomings of prior art pulse jet type combustion burners areloud noise from the rapid expansion in the combustion chamber and loudclosing of the air inlet valves. The vibration of the wall in thecombustion tube is dampened by the thermal transmission to thesurrounding water and the gases around the tube formed by seam bubblesalso create a sound-insulating effect as the sound energy disperses intothe surrounding bath. This sound wave also aids in the dissociation ofmolecules in the distillation/separation process.

By modifying the fuel-air ratio and the tube diameters and lengths,thereby increasing or decreasing the back pressure, different harmonicscan be achieved to enhance production. The optimum frequency may beexperimentally determined at which energy flow is maximized forincreased production. The use of sound, heat, and resonance vibrationfrom the shock wave induces a separation that can produce an optimizedbalance of products. The pressure pulse in the system may be used toenhance particular chemical reactions or processes that arepressure-sensitive. A second process chamber may be used to increasethermal production and higher pressures, accepting the high velocitygases from the burner and passing them through a “ram induction Venturi”afterburner with thermal oxidizing agents and the injection ofadditional fuel to increase pressure and gas velocity in this secondprocessing chamber for increased efficiency.

The superheated exhaust gases pass into a thermal catalytic chamberwhere liquid and gases may be processed using various catalysts. Ifwater is to be processed, the resulting steam can be reformed by passingit through, along with the byproducts of combustion, to make hydrogen.This gas can aid in solvent recovery of heavy oil and bitumen, and tarsands recovery processes at the same time, providing pure distillate forthese extraction processes and EOR processing. Gases then exit thesystem and pass through a dryer where superheated gases are cooled andsaturated gases give up their heat when liquids from the main tank aresprayed into them to crystallize the solids in the dryer. More liquid isadded to the main tank to maintain gas pressure equilibrium and properbalance of suspended solids. Gases the pass back into dispersion tubesto further evaporate liquid to make concentrate for the dryer. Gases arenow fully saturated and pass into the distillate recovery section, orcan be passed into the atmosphere. Gases are at 193° F., and are fullysaturated with deionized water droplets. These microdroplets are verydifficult to accumulate. Removing the thermal energy by converting theheat to electrical energy as they pass over thermal-electric Seebeckeffect plates creates electrical energy while simultaneously cooling thegases. This electrical energy is used to keep batteries charged and torun electronics and/or to supply supplemental energy to the metalsrecovery plates at the bottom of the main chamber.

LISTING OF NUMBER CALLOUTS IN FIGURES

In FIGS. 1 through 14, the following number callouts are used:

-   -   100 schematic end view of chamber #3 (burner chamber)    -   101 pulse jet elbow    -   102 pulse jet outlet cone    -   104 pulse jet outlet tube    -   106 pulse jet combustion chamber    -   107 pulse jet outlet flange    -   108 pulse jet inlet tube    -   109 support plate    -   110 outlet cone    -   111 support plate    -   112 pulse jet inlet cone    -   113 pulse jet outlet pipe elbow flange    -   114 boundary layer in outlet cone    -   115 chamber #3 inner wall (between chamber #3 and supercharger        box)    -   116 pulse jet outlet flame    -   117 steam eductor    -   118 pulse jet inlet boundary layer    -   120 fan for pressurizing supercharger chamber    -   122 barrier between chambers #3 and #2    -   124 exhaust gas from pulse jet outlet to larger pipe to dry        solids processing chamber    -   126 exhaust gas from pulse jet inlet to smaller pipe to dry        solids processing chamber    -   130 entrance cone for larger pipe to dry solids processing        chamber    -   131 tuning cone on larger pipe    -   132 larger pipe to dry solids processing chamber    -   133 tuning cone on smaller pipe    -   134 entrance cone for smaller pipe to dry solids processing        chamber    -   136 smaller pipe to dry solids processing chamber    -   138 exhaust gas from pulse jet outlet    -   140 exhaust gas from pulse jet inlet    -   142 temperature sensor    -   148 air from fan into supercharger chamber    -   150 close-up view of pulse jet combustion chamber    -   152 chamber #3 outer wall    -   155 heat flow outwards from combustion chamber to surrounding        water    -   163 thermal insulator between inner and outer walls of pulse jet        combustion chamber    -   165 inlet centering cylinder of pulse jet combustion chamber    -   166 outlet centering cylinder of pulse jet combustion chamber    -   167 back wall of pulse jet combustion chamber    -   169 front inner wall of pulse jet combustion chamber    -   172 fuel line to flame cup    -   174 flame cup    -   175 fuel injection hole    -   176 fuel line into combustion chamber    -   177 fuel line to pulse jet fuel injector collar    -   180 fuel line into boundary layer within cone 112    -   186 glow plug/spark plug for pulse jet    -   188 pulse jet fuel injector collar    -   192 air-fuel mixture flowing within walls of cone    -   194 air flow into fuel pulse jet injector    -   195 air flow within pulse jet fuel injector    -   196 fuel flow into pulse jet fuel injector    -   197 pulse jet outlet flange    -   200 Section A-A cross-sectional view (from FIG. 1A)    -   204 pulse jet outlet tube    -   205 pulse jet inlet tube    -   206 steam in volume above water in chamber #3    -   208 water-steam interface level in chamber #3    -   214 water in chamber #3    -   215 heat flow outwards from outlet tube to surrounding water    -   218 interior of outlet tube    -   224 heat flow outwards from combustion chamber to surrounding        water    -   228 pulse jet combustion chamber combustion region    -   240 top view of chamber #3    -   242 support slider    -   244 U-track    -   248 Teflon coating on wall of chamber #3    -   250 outer wall of chamber #3    -   270 side view of chamber #3    -   272 vertical support    -   274 support spring assembly    -   275 support rod    -   277 spring    -   278 push plate    -   279 clearance hole in vertical support    -   280 close-up view support bushing assembly    -   300 schematic diagram of pulse jet in an explosion phase    -   302 exhaust gases towards outlet cone during explosion phase    -   304 exhaust gases in elbow during explosion phase    -   306 exhaust gases from outlet cone during explosion phase    -   308 exhaust gases from inlet cone during explosion phase    -   310 explosion in combustion chamber    -   320 schematic diagram of pulse jet shortly after the explosion        phase    -   322 wall of supercharger chamber    -   323 weakening flow out of combustion chamber towards outlet cone        shortly after exhaust phase    -   324 weakening flow within elbow shortly after exhaust phase    -   326 weakening exhaust flow from outlet cone shortly after        explosion phase    -   328 weakening exhaust flow from inlet tube shortly after        explosion phase    -   330 underpressure region in combustion chamber shortly after        explosion    -   340 schematic diagram of pulse jet just before the fuel        injection phase    -   342 air flowing into combustion chamber from outlet tube    -   344 air flowing into combustion chamber in elbow    -   346 exhaust gases flowing out of outlet cone    -   348 air flowing into combustion chamber from inlet tube    -   350 underpressure region in combustion chamber shortly before        fuel injection    -   360 schematic diagram of pulse jet in the fuel injection phase    -   362 air flowing into combustion chamber from outlet tube    -   364 air flowing into combustion chamber in elbow    -   366 exhaust gases flowing out of outlet cone    -   368 air and fuel (if fuel injection collar 188 is used) flowing        into combustion chamber through inlet tube    -   370 air and fuel mixture prior to ignition    -   372 fuel injection into combustion chamber    -   380 schematic diagram of pulse jet in the explosion phase after        FIG. 3A    -   382 exhaust gases towards outlet cone during explosion phase    -   384 exhaust gases in elbow during explosion phase    -   386 exhaust gases from outlet cone during explosion phase    -   388 exhaust gases from inlet cone during explosion phase    -   390 explosion in combustion chamber (next after combustion 310)    -   400 schematic isometric cutaway view of chambers #1-#3    -   402 chamber #3 (burner chamber)    -   404 chamber #2 (condenser chamber)    -   406 chamber #1 (coalescent chamber)    -   408 steam eductor    -   414 water-steam interface level in chamber #2    -   416 water-steam interface level in chamber #1    -   420 coagulator plates    -   421 inlet pipe for contaminated water (initial introduction of        contaminated water to the system)    -   423 porous barrier between initial contaminated water in chamber        #1 and cleaner water in chambers #2 and #3    -   436 flow of contaminated water between coagulator plates    -   437 downward flow of steam in coagulator    -   440 bubble bursting at the surface    -   456 heat exchanger tube    -   457 manifold for heat exchanger tubes    -   462 flow of sludge into auger    -   464 concentrated contaminants in water    -   470 condensed steam droplet    -   472 steam bubble forming on outside of heat exchanger tube    -   473 expansion of flue gas emerging from pipe 542    -   474 condensate in heat exchanger tube    -   475 motion of rising bubble    -   476 hot flue gas emerging from pipe 542    -   477 bubble scraping off steam bubble from outside of heat        exchanger tube    -   478 expansion of bubble heated by heat exchanger tube    -   479 expansion of rising hot bubble    -   480 contraction of cooling bubble    -   481 micro-droplets within cooling bubble    -   482 flow of heat from flue gas bubble into water    -   483 cooled-off bubble no longer expanding    -   484 cooled-off bubble starting to contract before reaching heat        exchanger tubes    -   485 motion of rising bubble    -   486 expansion of bubble being heated by heat exchanger    -   487 smaller bubble due to larger bubbles of flue gas breaking up    -   488 flow of heat from heat exchanger tube into water    -   496 oil separated out of contaminated water in chamber #1    -   500 schematic cross-sectional view of chambers #1-#3    -   502 flow of steam from chamber #3 into heat exchanger in chamber        #2    -   504 demister #1    -   506 flow of demisted steam and flue gas out of demister #1    -   508 flow of light ends out of chamber #1    -   510 water feed tube from clarifier    -   512 flow of energy from chamber #3 to chamber #2: heat and        vibration    -   514 electrolytic plates for metals removal from solution    -   540 flow of water up towards pulse jet burner (steam generation)    -   542 pipes bringing gas from outlet of chamber #4    -   553 skimmer pipe out of chamber #1    -   555 flow of skimmed oil out of chamber #1    -   564 outlet pipe for concentrates    -   565 flow of concentrates in outlet pipe (to injector 722)    -   582 auger tube    -   583 auger screw    -   584 output of solid waste driven by auger    -   591 outlet manifold from condenser in chamber #2    -   600 close-up cross-sectional view of a condenser pipe in chamber        #2    -   602 outer wall of condenser pipe    -   604 inner wall of condenser pipe    -   606 flow of latent heat energy from condensing steam inside        condenser pipe to boil water outside condenser pipe    -   608 inner volume of condenser pipe    -   610 condenser pipe wall    -   612 water outside condenser pipe in chamber #2    -   700 schematic cross-sectional side view of chamber #4—dry solids        processing chamber    -   701 exhaust gas plenum    -   702 flow of gases out of demister #1    -   703 flow of gases into demister #1    -   706 chamber #4 outer wall    -   708 inner wall of chamber #4    -   709 water flowing into steam generating tubes in chamber #4    -   710 vortex of steam+flue gas+dried solids    -   711 water inlet pipe to chamber #4    -   712 inner volume of chamber #4    -   713 steam generating tube    -   714 inlet pipe for flue gas from inlet tube of pulse jet (after        passing through supercharger box 122)    -   715 flow of flue gas in pipe 714    -   716 dried solids flowing out the bottom of chamber #4    -   718 dried solids flowing out of chamber #4 in pipe 720    -   719 auger for dried solids    -   720 bottom outlet pipe for dried solids from chamber #4    -   722 auger screw    -   723 dry solids from bottom of chambers #1-#3 being fed into        auger    -   724 auger tube    -   726 secondary dryer    -   728 vortex flow of material, steam and flue gas within dryer    -   730 outlet pipe from chamber #4 wall (contains flue gas)    -   731 throttle valve on flue gas line into dryer    -   733 dried solids (broken into small pieces by flue gas jet)        flowing into chamber #4 for further drying    -   735 inlet pipe from dryer to chamber #4    -   738 inlet pipe for flue gas from outlet cone of pulse jet (after        passing through supercharger box 122)    -   739 flow of flue gas in pipe 738    -   741 Venturi tube    -   742 Condensate injection pipe    -   743 Condensate from 565    -   744 throttle valve on steam line into dryer    -   746 steam flow into dryer    -   747 flue gases flow into dryer    -   748 steam line into dryer    -   750 clumps of wet solid waste    -   751 broken up small particles of wet solid waste    -   780 flue gas inlet line to secondary dryer    -   790 condensate injection pipe    -   792 condensate from 565    -   798 catalysis plate (iron, etc., decomposes reactive gases such        as CO+water into CO2 and hydrogen)    -   799 top of chamber #4    -   800 schematic end view an alternative embodiment of chamber #3    -   802 tuning cone on larger pipe    -   804 tuning cone on smaller pipe    -   806 gas flow in larger cone    -   808 gas flow in smaller cone    -   810 injection of fuel and/or air and/or oxygen for secondary        burning    -   812 injection of fuel and/or air and/or oxygen for secondary        burning    -   892 in and out motion of tuning cone 802    -   894 in and out motion of tuning cone 804    -   900 close-up schematic diagram of the coagulating plates in        chamber #1    -   901 electrical insulator between coagulator plates    -   903 inward flow of vapor and condensate from the condenser in        chamber #2    -   904 outlet manifold    -   905 inlet manifold    -   906 outward flow of vapor and condensate from between the        coagulator plates    -   912 coagulator bipolar power supply    -   914 P1 connection from coagulator power supply    -   916 −P1 connection from coagulator power supply    -   1000 floating dome digester    -   1002 methane output pipe    -   1004 methane from digester: 1) fuel, and/or 2) product    -   1006 methane produced by digestion of sludge    -   1008 upper portion of heater coil    -   1009 lower portion of heater coil    -   1010 sludge    -   1011 convection due to heating coils    -   1012 outer wall of floating dome digester    -   1014 floating dome    -   1016 vertical motion of floating dome on digester    -   1017 flue gas    -   1018 inner float ring    -   1019 separated flue gas    -   1020 methane bubble    -   1021 flue gas collection pipe    -   1023 auger for sludge    -   1024 bottom outlet pipe for sludge from chamber #5    -   1025 sludge output from digester    -   1026 outer float ring    -   1050 close-up schematic diagram of heating coil detail in        floating dome digester    -   1051 liquid carry-over preventer    -   1052 condensate blocked by liquid carry-over preventer    -   1053 vapor passing through liquid carry-over preventer    -   1054 flue gas exiting from heater tube above liquid carry-over        preventer    -   1055 downward flow of condensate    -   1100 schematic diagram of the operation of chamber #2    -   1200 schematic diagram of the Peltier power generation system    -   1202 accumulator tank    -   1204 storage tank    -   1206 cooler fluid from accumulator tank 1202    -   1208 hotter fluid entering storage tank 1204    -   1210 cooled gases exiting heat exchanger #1    -   1212 hot gases into heat exchanger #1    -   1214 Peltier power generator    -   1220 output from Peltier power generator (to        electro-coagulators)    -   1222 gases being cooled in heat exchanger #1    -   1224 liquid being heated in heat exchanger #1    -   1226 air for pulse jet being heated in heat exchanger #2    -   1228 condensate line out of heat exchanger #1    -   1229 flow of condensate out of heat exchanger #1    -   1230 condensate in heat exchanger #1    -   1300 schematic diagram of the clarifier    -   1302 liquid inlet line from chamber #1    -   1304 liquid input from chamber #1    -   1305 light ends from clarifier    -   1306 clarifier chamber    -   1308 oil output from clarifier    -   1310 water output from clarifier    -   1312 liquid flowing over baffle into main clarifier chamber    -   1314 baffling plates    -   1400 schematic diagram of the wet scrubber subsystem    -   1402 nozzle    -   1404 water pump    -   1406 gas flow from heat exchanger #1    -   1407 alternative insertion location for gas flow from heat        exchanger #1    -   1408 water flow out of accumulator tank    -   1410 Venturi    -   1411 accelerated gases in Venturi    -   1412 water flow pumped to nozzle    -   1414 gases venting    -   1415 absorption scrubber    -   1416 scrubbed gases venting    -   1417 cold water in accumulator tank

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view 100 of the burner chamber #3402. See also FIGS. 1B, 1C, 4 and 5. The purposes of the burner chamberare the following:

-   -   1) Generate steam 502 which goes to chamber #2 404,    -   2) Generate heat transfer 512 to chamber #2 404 through wall        122,    -   3) Generate pulsing energy conducted through the fluid out the        bottom of chamber #3 to chambers #2 and #1 406, as well as        through wall 122 to chamber #2 404, and    -   4) Generate superheated exhaust gas which passes through the        supercharger box and then into the dryer (chamber #4).

Structural Elements of the Pulse Jet Burner

The pulse jet is completely submerged in water. Normal pulse jet enginesoperate in air in order to maintain sufficiently high wall temperaturesto maintain the pulsed combustion process. The pulse jet in embodimentsof the present invention may have a double-wall structure enabling aninner wall to remain at sufficiently high temperatures to maintaincombustion, but where an outer wall remains substantially cooler, butstill above boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure.

Air and (optionally) fuel enters from the supercharger box through inletcone 112 leading to inlet tube 108. A boundary layer 118 is establishedon the inner wall of the cone 112 and tube 108. Superheated exhaust 116exits into supercharger box through the outlet cone 102 with exit cone110 at the entrance to the supercharger box

Fuel Injection

Multiple possible methods for fuel injection into the pulse jet (notmutually-exclusive) fall within the scope of the invention:

-   -   a. Fuel may be injected 180 into the boundary layer 118 of the        entrance cone 112 [FIG. 1A].    -   b. Fuel may be injected 172 into the airflow with a spray bar        174 [FIG. 1B].    -   c. Fuel may be injected through tube 177 using a fuel injector        collar 188 [FIG. 1B with details in FIG. 1C]. In this scheme,        air 194 in injected into the collar and flows 195 past where the        fuel is injected 196 forming an air-fuel mixture 192 which        combines with the main inlet air flow 368.    -   d. Fuel may be injected through tube 176 into the space between        the inner wall and the outer wall to preheat the fuel before        burning [FIG. 1B], and then into the chamber through a        multiplicity of holes 175.    -   e. Other locations are also possible for fuel injection as maybe        understood by those skilled in the art.

Combustion Chamber

The combustion chamber 106 has a novel double-walled design shown inmore detail in view 150 for the following purposes:

-   -   a. Inner wall (comprised of sections 165, 166, 167, 169) may be        formed from catalytic high-temperature metals to facilitate the        burning process, enclosing the combustion chamber 228. The inner        wall may be separated from the outer wall by        thermally-insulating spacers 163. Fuel may be circulated in the        space between the inner and outer walls to preheat the fuel        prior to burning as described above. Proper functioning of the        pulse jet burner requires that the inner wall in contact with        the burning fuel is extremely hot (red to white hot). The inner        wall may alternatively be molded out of ceramic materials with        embedded catalysts, or formed by standard metal-forming        processes. By separating the combustion chamber at the joint        comprised of flanges 107 and 197, the inner wall may be removed        for replacement or cleaning.    -   b. Outer wall 106 may be fabricated from stainless steel or        other metal—it remains much cooler than the inner wall (although        still hot enough to potentially generate steam) since it is in        direct contact with the boiling water surrounding the pulse jet        burner. Heat 155 is conducted from the inner wall to the outer        wall by convection and radiation to the outer wall, and then        into the boiling water surrounding the pulse jet burner.

Benefits of Pulse Jet Burners Over Conventional Burners

A pulse jet, and in particular the valveless pulse jet shown here, hasthe substantial advantage of not requiring a blower (typically up to 25horsepower) to draw air into the combustion chamber, since the pressurewaves within the outlet and inlet tubes serve this function. Thecombustion chamber must be at an extremely high temperature to inducecombustion of the fuel in periodic pulses. FIG. 3A-3E discusses theoperation of a valveless pulse jet. Since the pulse jet in the presentinvention is completely submerged in water, the outer wall of thecombustion chamber is separated from the inner wall which is exposed tothe burning fuel in—thus the outer wall may be hot enough to generatesteam but can still be much cooler than the red to white hot inner wall.Another advantage of a pulse jet is the oscillatory pressure waves whichpropagate out into the water in chamber #3 and then to chambers #2 and#1 both through the water connection at the bottom of chambers #1-#3, aswell as through the separating wall 122 between chambers #3 and #2. Manycoagulation processes in both chambers #1 and #2 may be enhanced by thisperiodic increased pressure in the fluid.

Supercharger Box

The supercharger box adjoins the liquid-filled burner chamber at theright of FIG. 1A, and is separated by a support wall 115. A fan 120generates air flow 148 may be used to pressurize the supercharger box upto at least 2-3 atmospheres pressure, thus enabling both increasedcombustion efficiency in the pulse jet as well as providing a means forcontrolling the power output from the pulse jet (by regulating the fan120 speed and thus the degree of overpressure within the superchargerbox). The superheated exhaust gases 124 and 126 from the pulse jetburner enter two tubes 132 (flow 138 entering entrance cone 130) and 136(flow 140 entering entrance cone 134) which lead this gas out of thesupercharger box to chamber #4 for drying of waste materials (see FIG.7). FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the supercharger box.

At the entrance cone 130 of the larger pipe 132, a steam eductor 117 mayoptionally be located. At the entrance cone 132 of the smaller pipe 134,another steam eductor 117 may also optionally be located. The functionof the steam eductors is to increase the pressure and velocity of thegases flowing out of the supercharger box into chamber #4, therebyenhancing the generation of vortex air flow (see FIGS. 7A-7C).

Within larger pipe 132, a first tuning cone 131 may be located; withinsmaller pipe 136 a second tuning cone 133 may also be located. Thefunctioning of these cones is described in the discussion of FIG. 8. Inthis embodiment, the tuning cones are within the pipes 132 and 136,while in the embodiment in FIG. 8, the tuning cones are at the exit ofthe pipes 132 and 136.

Injection of Fuel and Oxidizers

Fuel may be introduced into the compressed air within the superchargerbox, prior to flowing into the inlet tube of the pulse jet burner. Inaddition, oxygen may also be injected into the boundary layer in theentrance tube cone 112 to enhance the efficiency of the combustionprocess in chamber 106.

FIG. 1A shows an overall view 100 of chamber #3 where the pulse jetburner comprises:

an inlet cone 112 leading to an inlet tube 108,

a combustion chamber 106,

an outlet tube 104, leading to an outlet elbow 101, which connects to anoutlet cone 102 and then outlet cone 110,

wall 115 separating the water-filled chamber #3 from the (air andgas-filled) supercharger box,

outer wall 152 of chamber #3,

pulse jet support plates 109 and 111,

a boundary layer 114 formed inside exit cones 102 and 110,

a boundary layer 118 formed inside inlet cone 112 and inlet tube 108,

flanges 113 and 193 connect the outlet elbow 104 to the outlet cone 102,

optional steam eductors 117 at the entrance cones 130 and 134,

optional tuning cone 131 in larger pipe 132

optional tuning cone 133 in smaller pipe 136, and

section A-A which is shown in FIG. 2A.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a forced-draft burner maybe employed in place of the pulse jet burner.

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the combustion chamber ofthe pulse jet burner. The inner wall of the chamber comprises multipleseparable parts: two cylindrical sections 166 and 165 which serve toalign the inner wall and keep the inner-to-outer wall gap approximatelyuniform, a front conical section 169, and a rear section 167. Thecombustion chamber separates at flanges 107 and 197 to enableinstallation and removal of the inner wall, which due to hightemperatures will require periodic replacement due to wearing effects.The inner wall may be comprised of high temperature metals (which mayhave catalytic properties to enhance efficient combustion) or of moldedceramics with embedded catalyst materials. Multiple methods andlocations may be used for fuel injection as described in FIG. 1A above.A glow plug/spark plug 186 may be used to control fuel ignition, whichis useful since the periodic fuel ignition induces pressure waves in thefluid which need to have a regular frequency for optimum benefit. Atemperature sensor 142 on the output tube from the combustion chambermay enable real-time feedback control of the fuel input to the burner toregulate the burn rate and thus the output power and temperature.

Upon initial start-up of the system, typically propane may be used.After the system is running, wellhead gas may be added or substitutedfor the propane. Optionally, propane may be injected from one or more ofthe locations listed in FIG. 1A and the wellhead gas injected from thesame location(s) and/or other location(s). Thus oils and gases recoveredby the system from the waste water may be used to power the system in aself-contained operating mode.

FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fuel injector 188 forthe pulse jet burner. Air 194 is injected 195 upstream of the fuel 196,which are then mixed 192 in the injector prior to entering thecombustion chamber inlet tube and combining with the air 368 beingsucked into the pulse jet burner.

FIG. 2A illustrates 200 schematically section A-A of the burner chamber#3 in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1A illustrates the location of section A-A whichpasses through the output cone 204 (single-walled 102 since at thispoint the gases have cooled and a double-wall insulation is notrequired) at the top and the double-walled combustion chamber 205 at thebottom. The flow of heat and vibrational energy into the surroundingfluid is illustrated by arrows 215 and 224. Steam (either saturated orsuperheated) passes 502 to an array of heat exchanger tubes in chamber#2 (see FIG. 5). Outer wall 250 and barrier 122 (between chambers #2 and#3) contain water 214 and steam 206 where the water-steam interface 208is maintained above the pulse jet.

FIG. 2B illustrates schematically a top view 240 of the sliding supportstructure for the pulse jet in chamber #3 (the “burner chamber”). Thesupport structure for the pulse jet burner is illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2Dand serves the following functions:

-   -   1. Mechanical support for the pulse jet burner,    -   2. Spring-loaded mounting to the support to allow for thermal        expansion of the pulse jet during operation, and    -   3. Spring-loaded mounting to reduce damping of the pulse jet        vibration—this enables the vibratory energy from the pulse jet        to flow into the surrounding water medium, and then on into        chambers #2 and #1, both directly through the fluid at the        bottom of chambers #1-#2 and also through wall 122 into chamber        #2.        The top view in FIG. 2B shows four sliders 242 in tracks 244—as        the pulse jet expands after heating, these sliders may slide        along tracks 244 (to the left of the figure) to accommodate the        thermal expansion and avoid buckling of the tubes.

FIG. 2C is a schematic end view 270 of the sliding support structure forthe pulse jet in the burner chamber. The sliding mechanism in FIG. 2Bmay be seen in an end view here. Vertical support 272 connects togetherthe upper (outlet cone 102) and lower (inlet tube 104 and combustionchamber 106) sections of the pulse jet burner. Support rod 275 isconnected to vertical support 272 by a support spring assembly 274 shownin more detail 280 in FIG. 2D. The sides of barrier 122 and outer wall250 facing inwards may have a Teflon coating 248 to facilitate cleaningand reduce adhesion of contaminants.

FIG. 2D is a detail end view 280 of the spring-loaded support for thepulse jet in the burner chamber. Vertical support 272 which connects theupper and lower sections of the pulse jet burner is flexibly attached tosupport rod 275 (which extends across through clearance hole 279) by thespring-loaded support comprising dual springs 277, which separate thevertical support 272 from the dual push plates 278, thereby centeringthe pulse jet burner within the burner chamber #3, while still enablingthe benefits listed in FIG. 2B above.

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate various phases in the operation of a valvelesspulse jet burner. Details of the specific benefits of applying a pulsejet burner to the present invention are described in FIG. 1A above.

FIG. 3A illustrates 300 the pulse jet in the explosion phase. Apreferred notation is “deflagration”, rather than the informal term“explosion”, since the combustion process is not as violent as thatfound in pulse detonation engines (PDEs). The fuel-air mixture isburning (exploding or deflagrating) 310 in the combustion chamber 106,and as a result accelerated hot gases are flowing 308 out of the inlettube. Accelerated hot gases are also flowing 302 and 304 through elbow101 and then flowing 306 out of the outlet cone 102. Hot gases 306 and308 flow into the supercharger box with wall 322.

FIG. 3B illustrates 320 the pulse jet shortly after the explosion phase,when the gas pressures are dropping, producing an underpressure region330 in the combustion chamber 106. The accelerated hot gases exitingfrom the inlet tube slow and eventually change direction 328, nowentering the combustion chamber to supply air (and in some cases fuel,depending on the location of the fuel injection—see above in FIG. 1).The accelerated hot gases 323, 324, and 326 also slow as the pressure inthe combustion chamber drops, however they do not reverse direction asshown—due to the larger air mass in the (much longer) outlet tube andcone, the time until the gas reverses direction (see FIG. 3C) is muchlonger.

FIG. 3C illustrates 340 the pulse jet shortly before the fuel injectionphase. By now the pressure 350 in the combustion chamber 106 has droppedmuch lower than in FIG. 3A, and the gas flows in both the inlet (flow348) and outlet (flows 342 and 344) are inwards towards the combustionchamber. Flow 346 at the outlet cone is shown going outwards—in somecases the direction of flow 346 may be inwards (at relatively lowvelocities) as well.

FIG. 3D illustrates 360 the pulse jet in the fuel injection phase, wherefuel (or fuel and air) are injected with one or more of the methodslisted for FIG. 1 above. For example, fuel 372 (injection mechanism notshown) is being injected into combustion chamber 106 where it mixes withthe incoming air from the inlet and outlet. By the time the fuelinjection phase starts, the air flow 368 from the inlet, and the airflow 362 and 364 from the outlet are stronger and air flow 366 may benearly stopped or also inwards.

FIG. 3E illustrates 380 the pulse jet in the next pulse jet phase afterthat illustrated in FIG. 3A. The fuel-air mixture is burning (exploding)390 in the combustion chamber 106, and as a result accelerated hot gasesare flowing 388 out of the inlet tube. Accelerated hot gases are alsoflowing 382 and 384 through elbow 101 and then flowing 386 out of theoutlet cone 102. Hot gases 386 and 388 flow into the supercharger boxwith wall 322.

FIG. 4 is an isometric schematic view 400 of chambers #1-#3. FIG. 5 is across-sectional schematic view 500 of chambers #1-#3 as shown in FIG. 4.The following discussion refers to both FIGS. 4 and 5.

Alternative Pulse Jet Burner Configuration

FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view 800 of an alternativeembodiment of the pulse jet burner in chamber #3—this may be comparedwith FIG. 1A. The benefits of the pulse jet burner vibrations may befurther enhanced using tuning of the pulse jet frequency by means of thetwo cones 802 and 804 illustrated here at the exits of tubes 132 and 136connecting the supercharger box with the dry solids processing chamber#4—compare with the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1A. By movingcones 802 and 804 in and out 892 and 894, respectively, the Bernoullieffect controls the oscillation frequency of the pulse jet by regulatingexiting gas flows 806 and 808, respectively, independently of the fuelflow to the pulse jet burner—this is unique to the present inventionsince in the prior art, no independent control of pulsing frequency andpower output was possible. By varying the frequency and monitoring therates and efficiencies of the various processes in chambers #2 and #1,optimization of these rates and efficiencies, and selection of competingprocesses, may be accomplished. It is also within the scope of theinvention to inject fuel, air, or oxygen, or a combination of two or allof these 810 and 812, into the flows exiting from the larger 132 andsmaller 136 pipes, respectively. The flexible mounting structure for thepulse jet illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2B-2D (which may be applied to thisalternative embodiment) may enhance the effectiveness of the oscillatorypressure waves from the pulse jet burner in chamber #3 to affect thechemical processes (especially coagulation) in chambers #2 and #1.

Chamber #3—Burner Chamber

The structure and operation of chamber #3 (the burner chamber) 402 isdescribed above in FIGS. 1-3.

Chamber #2—Condenser or Heat Exchanger Chamber

The (center) heat exchanger (condenser) chamber 404 is both structurallyand functionally very complex. At the top of chamber #2, an array ofheat exchanger tubes 456 is connected together by manifolds 457. Eachhorizontal bank of heat exchanger tubes is electrically connectedtogether, however the banks are electrically insulated from each otherand are connected alternately (top to bottom) to a power supplyproviding equal magnitude and opposite polarity voltages P1 and−P1—these voltages may reverse polarity typically over time frames of afew minutes. The heat exchanger tubes receive steam 502 from theaccumulated steam (at a temperature above 192° F.) above the water-steaminterface 208 in burner chamber #3 as shown—this steam flows downthrough the banks of heat exchanger tubes, gradually transferring itslatent heat to the surrounding fluid as illustrated and described inmore detail in FIG. 11. The water-steam interface level 414 is lowerthan level 208 since the pressure in chamber #2 above the water-steaminterface 414 is slightly higher than in chamber #3.

At the bottom of the heat exchanger tube array, the remaining steam andcondensate flows out through manifold 591 and over to chamber #1, whereit is used to heat the coagulation plates (see below). At the bottom ofchamber #2, a replaceable array of plates (typically ferrite or othermagnetic material) 514 is electrically biased (typically withalternating +30 and −30 V biases). These plates may have three differentfunctions (not necessarily mutually-exclusive), depending on the typesof contamination in the water: 1) removal of metallic ions out ofsolution, 2) magnetic removal of iron particles, and 3) hydrolysis ofwater to generate oxygen and hydrogen for enhancement of the chemicalprocesses occurring in the upper regions of chamber #2. For some ofthese three applications, materials will deposit onto these plates—thesebias voltages would be periodically reversed to prevent excessivebuild-up of deposited material. Plates 514 are configured to be easilyremovable to enable recovery of the valuable deposited metal fromsolution. In addition, when these plates react with the metallicsolution, hydrogen-rich gas and oxygen are generate by the electrolyticdecomposition of the water—this gas may be collected (optional collectornot shown) or it may be allowed to bubble up through chamber #2 and thento pass through demister 504 into gas flow 506. The downward flow at thebottom of chamber #2 contains solid condensates, and more concentratedliquid waste water. Additional feed water 1310 from the clarifier (seeFIG. 13) maybe supplied to chamber #2 through tube 510.

The chemical processes in chamber #2 are driven by all the sources ofenergy from chamber #3: steam heat, superheated exhaust gases, andvibration 512 from the pulsed periodic burning process. Calciumcarbonate may be added (typically at the top of chamber #2) to performthe following functions:

-   -   1. Odor reduction, particularly in the case of “sour” waste        material (high sulfur content),    -   2. Absorption of metallic gases,    -   3. Control of pH (typically preferred to be in the range 6.5 to        7.5), and    -   4. Binds CO₂.

Sludge 462 accumulates at the bottom of chamber #2, and an auger 582 and583 may remove this sludge 584 which may be loaded 723 into the dryer inFIG. 7. Liquid condensate waste fluid 565 from the concentrated solution464 at the bottom of chamber #2 may be removed through tube 564 forinjection into the dryer in FIG. 7.

At the top of chamber #2, a demister 504 removes droplets entrained inthe rising steam and exhaust gas mixture—the demisted gases 506 may thentransmitted to the Peltier effect electrical power generator. Above thelevel of the accumulated sludge in the bottom of chamber #2, outlet pipe564 removes concentrates 565 which are fed to the injector (see FIG. 7).As the pulse jet burner generates steam, replacement feed water 540passes from chamber #2 into the bottom of chamber #3. At the bottom ofchamber #2, larger pipes 542 feed hot gases from the outlet of chamber#4 (see FIG. 7). Optionally, iron nanoparticles may be added tocondensate 565—these particles may enhance the processes occurring inchamber #4.

Within pipes 542, optional steam eductors 408 may be located. Thefunction of the steam eductors is to enable initial start-up of thesystem by facilitating the removal of water from within pipes 542.During system operation after start-up, steam eductors 408 may continueto operate.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the heat exchangerchamber #2. At the left, the heat exchanger tube array and flue gastubes 542 are shown. A very complex set of processes occurs in chamber#2. Tubes 542 are fed by hot gases 702 (see FIG. 7) exiting from the drysolids processing chamber #4. These superheated gases may contain fluegas, steam, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, etc. Tubes 542 have slotted ventsin their lower surfaces—the positive relative pressure of the gasesinside tubes 542 prevents backflow of water into tubes 542, thus the gasis shown exiting 476 from the tube to form initially large risingbubbles. Just after emerging from tube 542, these bubbles are hotterthan the surrounding fluid, thus the flow of heat 482 is outwards intothe water. Also the hot bubbles initially expand 473 and 479 outwardsagainst the local water pressure. As the bubble rise, they cool both dueto expansion and due to heat transfer into the surrounding water whichis thereby heated. The hot walls of the bubbles induce evaporation ofthe water into the gas of the bubble, gradually increasing the watercontent and cooling the gases inside the bubble. After rising a certaindistance, but not yet up to the level of the heat exchanger tubes, thebubble reach thermal and pressure equilibrium with the surrounding wateras shown by bubble 483, which still rises 475 due to buoyancy. Furtherup within chamber #2, bubble 485 is contracting 480 and microdroplets481 are forming inside as cooling continues—the water in thesemicrodroplets arises both from the initial water content in the gasexiting demister 504 above chamber #4 and from the water evaporated intothe bubble lower down within chamber #2.

Inside the heat exchanger tubes 456, steam from chamber #3 is flowingdownwards, gradually condensing 474. The latent heat released by thiscondensation flows outwards 488 into the surrounding water, where itinduces steam formation 472 on the outer walls of the heat exchangertubes. This process is possible as discussed in FIG. 5 since thepressure within the heat exchanger tubes is slightly higher than thepressure outside, thus the boiling temperature outside the heatexchanger tubes 456 is slightly lower than the condensation temperatureinside the heat exchanger tubes. The rising large bubbles 477 of gasfrom tubes 542 are broken into smaller bubbles 487 by impacting the heatexchanger tubes (these small bubble continue to rise 485 and resumeexpanding 486 due to heating—this impact also “scrubs” the nucleatingsteam bubbles 472 off the outside of the heat exchanger tubes. As thelarge upward-moving bubbles 477 contact the heat-exchanger tubes, theyare reheated and resume expanding 478. At the surface of the water inchamber #2, the bursting bubbles 440 may produce droplets which areremoved by demister 504. The heat exchanger tubes 456 near the top havesmall amounts of condensed droplets 470 forming in them. When the risingbubbles reach the water-steam interface they burst 440, releasing thecombined gas and water vapor contained inside into the volume above thewater-steam interface 414 in chamber #2.

Chamber #1—Coagulator Chamber

The coagulator chamber (406 chamber #1) is one possible initial entrypoint 421 for liquid wastes (typically at around 60° F.) into the systemfor reconditioning. Waste liquids enter chamber #1, passing betweencoagulator plates 420 (see FIG. 9). The coagulator plates are heated bythe gases exiting from the heat exchanger tubes in chamber #2—thisheating brings the temperature of the liquid wastes from an initialrange near room temperature up to approximately 193° F. Due to theeffects of the coagulation plates, the oil in the waste water separatespartially from the water, forming a layer 496 which may be decanted off555 through pipe 553 to pass to the clarifier (see FIG. 13) forsubsequent processing and possibly for use as fuel for the pulse jetburner in chamber #3. The coagulation process is enhanced by both theoscillatory electrical bias on the plates (see FIG. 9) as well as theturbulent fluid flow between the plates with a ribbed structure asshown. Light ends 508 may be removed through the pipe at the top ofchamber #1, also potentially to use for powering the pulse jet burner.The bottom of chamber #2 comprises a porous barrier 423, allowing flowof fluid and material between chambers #2 and #1 for later collection byeither the auger 583 or concentrate removal tube 564, or deposition ontoplates 514. The water-steam interface level 464 is lower than level 414since the pressure in chamber #1 above the water-steam interface 416 isslightly higher than the pressure above the water-steam interface 414 inchamber #2. Contaminated water 436 flows upwards between the coagulatorplates or around the coagulator tubes in an alternative embodiment ofthe coagulator employing tubes instead of plates.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view 600 of a heat exchanger (condenser)tube in chamber #2 with outer wall 602 and inner wall 604. The inside608 of the heat exchanger tubes (see FIG. 11) is filled with steam fromburner chamber #3. Latent heat energy from the condensation of thissteam flows outwards through the wall 610 of the tube and generatessteam on the outer wall 602 of the tube (see FIG. 11). Due to the small(a few inches typically) height difference between the water in chamber#3, which is higher than the water level in chamber #2, the boilingtemperature in the water in chamber #2 is slightly below thecondensation temperature inside the tube—thus the latent heat releasedby the condensation of the steam within the heat exchanger tube (whichcame from chamber #3) may flow out 606 through wall 610 to generatesteam on the outer wall of the tube in chamber #2 by boiling water 612.This process occurs at 193° F. and the heat exchange process tends tomaintain chamber #2 at this characteristic temperature.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram 900 of the coagulation plates 420 inchamber #1. Cooled steam flows 903 in from the bottom of the heatexchanger tube array in chamber #2, and into an inlet manifold 905, thenflows downward 437 (partially condensing as it flows) between pairs ofplates (or within tubes in an alternative embodiment) to an outletmanifold 904 at the bottom, subsequently exiting 906 chamber #1.

Insulators 901 separate the pairs of coagulation plates 420 (pairs oftubes in an alternative embodiment), and a bipolar power supply 912 isconfigured to supply equal magnitude and opposite polarity voltages P1and −P2 through wires 914 and 916 to alternate plates (or tubes) asshown. The transverse electric fields thus induced between the plates inthe fluid between the pairs of plates induces coagulation of oils out ofthe contaminated waste water entering chamber #1 through tube 421 (seeFIG. 5). Plates (or tubes) 420 are heated by the steam flow 437 betweenthem, and this heat is subsequently transferred to the rising wastewater 436 which reaches approximately 193° F. at the top of thecoagulator plate array.

Dry Solids Processing Chamber (Dryer)

FIGS. 7A and 7B show side 700 and top 799 cross-sectional schematicviews of the dry solids processing chamber #4. Superheated exhaust gasesfrom both the inlet and outlet of the pulse jet burner are used toprovide thermal energy to the dry solids processing chamber #3 (the“dryer”, comprising the main and secondary dryers). Exhaust 715 from theinlet of the pulse jet burner (typically about 40% of the total exhaust)enters though pipe 714 into the steam generating chamber formed betweenthe inner 708 and outer 706 walls of the main dryer. Exhaust 739 fromthe outlet of the pulse jet burner (typically about 60%) is directedinto the inner volume of the dryer through pipe 738. This exhaust isaimed generally tangentially as shown in FIG. 7B, thereby inducing avortex 710 within the inner chamber 712—this vortex facilitates gasmixing and the breaking up of solid waste residues into smallerparticles for enhanced drying action. The superheated exhaust 739 isdirected against a catalytic plate 798 (such as an iron plate) which maybe thermally insulated to enable it to reach high temperatures forenhancement of catalytic water gas reactions for generation of carbondioxide and hydrogen from initial carbon monoxide and water.

Within the volume between the inner 708 and outer 706 walls of the maindryer, the steam generation coil 713 is supplied at the top through tube711 with feed water 709 which then flows downwards in the coil 713 toform steam 746 which is then directed through pipe 748 and throttlevalve 744 into the secondary dryer 726 for use in breaking up largerchunks of wet solid waste (see FIG. 7D). Flue gas 730 may also bedirected into the secondary dryer through valve 731.

At the bottom of the main dryer, solid material 716 falls into an auger719 which removes 718 the dried solids through pipe 720. Alternatives toan auger include a conveyor belt, or a solid collection chamber directlybelow the main dryer. At the top of the main dryer, an exhaust gasplenum 701 collects the lighter dried material which was circulatedwithin the gas vortex and due to its lower weight has moved inwards(while heavier wet materials flowed outwards until they were driedmore). Also flowing 702 out the plenum 701 are superheated flue gas,steam, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide 703. This gas mixture is directedinto tubes 542 at the bottom of chamber #2 to drive the heat exchangerand coagulation processes there (see FIG. 11). To enhance the catalyticdrying processes within the inner chamber, in some embodiments the innerwall of the inner chamber may be lined with catalytic metal plates, suchas mu-steel.

At the left of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the secondary dryer is shown with auger722 feeding wet solid wastes 723 through tube 724 into an intersectingflow of flue gases and steam (see FIG. 7D). FIG. 7C illustrates 788 thevortex flow 728 within the secondary dryer—note that this flow is shownin a vertical plane, whereas the vortex flow in the main dryer is in ahorizontal plane—the specific orientations of these flows is purelyillustrative here.

FIG. 7D is a detail view of the secondary dryer of chamber #4. Steam 746produced in the steam generator formed between the inner 708 and outer706 walls of the main dryer is fed in through nozzle 748 at supersonicspeeds, entraining the hot flue gases 747 coming from pipe 780, whichthen flow through an optional Venturi tube 741 which raises the velocity(by converting the steam pressure into kinetic energy) and impacting thewet solid wastes 750 being fed into the secondary dryer by auger 722. Asa result of the supersonic impact of the combined steam and flue gas,the larger chunks of wet solid waste material 750 are broken up intosmaller particles 751 with greatly increased surface area-to-volumeratios to accelerate drying in the main dryer. The broken up wet solidwastes are then swept 733 into the main dryer through pipe 735 by theflow of steam and flue gas

Optionally, condensate 792 in pipe 790 which is connected to pipe 564 atthe bottom of chambers #1-#3 may be entrained and injected into the maindryer. Prior to injection of condensate 792 (i.e., between the exit fromchambers #1-#3 and injection into chamber #4), iron nanoparticles may beinjected into condensate 792. These iron nanoparticles may enhance thesteam reforming (2H₂→2H₂+O₂) which occurs at catalysis plate 798

Similarly, and also optionally, condensate 743 in pipe 742 which isconnected to pipe 564 at the bottom of chambers #1-#3 may be entrainedand injected into the main dryer.

Floating Dome Digester

FIG. 10A is a side schematic cross-section 1000 of the floating domedigester—chamber #5, with outer wall 1012. Wet solid organic sludge 1010is heated by the lower portion of steam coil 1009, which is fed by hotflue gas 1017 from the dry solids processing chamber #4 or from theoutput of demister 504 at the top of chamber #2. This heat producesconvection flows 1011 in the liquid, thereby enhancing the wastedigestion process. Methane bubbles 1020 rise from the digesting solids1010 and are collected 1006 by the floating dome 1014, and then exit1004 the digester through pipe 1002. The floating dome 1014 is supportedby inner float ring 1018, which floats inside an outer float ring 1026,dome 1014 moves up and down 1016 following the height of fluid in thedigester. Outer float ring 1026 moves up and down along with dome 1014,maintaining the gap between the inner 1018 and outer 1026 float rings.The gap between float rings 1026 and 1018 allows the flue gases 1019which emerge from the top of the heater tube (see FIG. 10B) to beseparated from the methane as shown. A small amount of methane risingnear upper heater coil 1008 may be lost through this gap; however aminimal fraction of the flue gas will end up collected by the floatingdome and thus contaminating the methane. The flue gas passes out the topof the chamber through pipe 1021. At the bottom of the floating domedigester an auger removes solid material which may be either usefulproduct, or may be fed to the dry solids processing chamber #4. At thebottom of the floating dome digester, and auger 1023 removes the sludge1025 through tube 1024

FIG. 10B is a close-up schematic diagram 1050 of heating coil detail inthe floating dome digester. The coil spiral is omitted here for clarity.At the left, the upper turn 1009 of the heater coil is shown to havevents at the bottom, enabling the hot flue gases 1054 to exit into theliquid in the digester at the top and outer wall 1012, then to passthrough the gap between floats 1026 and 1018 as explained in FIG. 10A.The lower turns 1008 of the heater coil do not have vents. Condensate1052 which forms within the heater coil due to cooling of the coil bythe surrounding liquid flows downward 1055 and may be separated from theincoming gas 1017. A liquid carry-over preventer 1051 between the lowercoil 1009 and the upper coil 1008 prevents this condensate from enteringthe liquid in the digester, while the vapor 1053 is able to pass throughthe liquid carry-over preventer 1051 as shown.

Peltier Effect Power Generation System

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram 1200 of the Peltier effect powergeneration system which is used to produce electricity 1220 within thesystem for various purposes, including the various power supplies usedto generate the voltages for the coagulation plates and tubes. Hot gases1212 from the top of chamber #2 enter at the left and pass by the hotside of the Peltier device 1214 at the left of FIG. 12. Condensablegases (principally water) within gases 1212 may condense 1230 afterthese gases are cooled by the heat exchanger. This condensate 1229 maybe drained off through tube 1228. The cooled gases 1210 pass by the coldside of the Peltier device 1214 at the right of FIG. 12. Peltier devicesgenerate electricity from a temperature differential—the electricalenergy is derived by absorbing a small fraction of the heat of the gaspassing by the hot side of the device and then transferring this heat tothe fluid passing by the cold side of the device.

At the bottom of FIG. 12, relatively cold liquid 1206 from theaccumulator tank 1202 flows 1224 to the left through the heat exchanger,absorbing some heat from the hot gases flowing 1222 to the right. Thisheated liquid then may pass through a second heat exchanger shown at thelower left, where cold air may be preheated 1226 by absorbing heat fromliquid 1208—this preheated air then flows to the pulse jet burner, wherethe combustion efficiency is improved through the use of preheated air(less energy from the burning fuel is used to heat the air). Liquid 1208is stored in tank 1204.

Decanter (Clarifier)

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram 1300 of the decanter (clarifier) 1306.Oil 1304 from chamber #1 enters the baffling plate array 1314 withinenclosure 1308 through pipe 1302, wherein alternating metal plates mayhave opposite voltages applied (P3 and −P3). Alternatively, the bafflingplates may be fabricated from fiberglass or plastic insulating materialswhich will spontaneously develop static electricity-induced chargingwithout the need for a power supply. The water plus emulsified oilmixture then overflows 1312 into the remainder of the decanter, wherethe oil layer on top may pass out 1308 for use in the pulse jet burner,while the purified water 1310 may pass out the bottom to be fed intochamber #2 through tube 510, thereby replenishing the water levels inchambers #1-#3. At the top of the decanter, light ends 1305 exit, foruse in the pulse jet burner or to go to an aromatic condenser. In someembodiments, UV illumination at targeted wavelengths may be used toenhance the oil-water separation process—pipe 1302 may be clear tofacilitate UV transmission into the liquid 1304. In some embodiments,pipe 1302 maybe be heated to improve the oil-water separation process.

Wet Scrubber Subsystem

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram 1400 of the wet scrubber subsystem. Thecooled gases 1406 exiting heat exchanger #1 in the Peltier effect powergeneration system enter the wet scrubber subsystem preferably at a lowpressure region—one purpose of the wet scrubber is to draw a suction onthese gases through the preceding sections of the Peltier effect powergeneration system. An alternative entry point 1407 is shown dashed.Storage tank contains relatively cold water 1417. Cold water 1408 fromthe accumulator tank 1202 is forced 1412 through nozzle 1402 by pump1404—this cooled water then scrubs the gases by both direct cooling fromthe water as well as due to the expansion of the gases below theVenturi, causing gas acceleration 1411. The regions just above theVenturi 1410 and in the Venturi form impaction zones which enhance theformation and removal of solids and microdroplets from the gas flow.Gases venting from the storage tank 1202 may pass 1414 through anabsorption scrubber 1415 before release 1416 to the atmosphere.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a thermal processing apparatusfor processing contaminated liquids and solid wastes, comprising:

-   -   a first chamber, comprising:        -   a water-filled burner chamber, comprising:        -   a pulse jet burner, fully immersed in the water and having            an inlet and an outlet; and        -   a first steam outlet; and        -   an air-filled supercharger box configured to provide air to            the inlet and outlet of the pulse jet burner;    -   a second chamber, comprising an array of heat exchanger tubes        having a first steam inlet and a second steam outlet, wherein        the first steam inlet is configured to receive steam from the        first steam outlet; and    -   a third chamber, comprising an array of coagulator tubes or        plates having a second steam inlet, wherein the second steam        inlet is configured to receive steam from the second steam        outlet.

In some embodiments, the supercharger box further comprises a fanconfigured to raise the air pressure within the supercharger box up to 3atmospheres pressure to enhance the combustion efficiency of the pulsejet burner.

In some embodiments, the pulse jet burner comprises a combustion chamberhaving inner and outer walls, wherein the inner wall is thermallyinsulated from the outer wall and is comprised of high temperaturemetal, and wherein the outer wall is in contact with the water.

In some embodiments, the combustion chamber further comprises aninjector for injecting fuel between the inner and outer walls forpre-heating, and wherein the inner wall is configured with amultiplicity of openings to enable the pre-heated fuel to enter thecombustion chamber.

In some embodiments, the second chamber further comprises a demister atthe top of the chamber for removing carry-over liquid droplets from thegas flow exiting from the second chamber through the demister.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third chambers are open atthe bottom into a common volume.

In some embodiments, the thermal processing apparatus further comprisesan array of electrically-biased plates configured in the common volumeto remove dissolved metals from the liquid in the common volume, tomagnetically remove iron, and to hydrolyze water.

In some embodiments, the thermal processing apparatus further comprisesan auger for removal of solid waste accumulated within the commonvolume.

In some embodiments, the thermal processing apparatus further comprisesa gas outlet at the top of the third chamber for venting of “lightends”.

In some embodiments, the thermal processing apparatus further comprisesa fourth chamber, configured as a dryer for wet solid wastes andcomprising:

-   -   an inner chamber;    -   an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber;    -   a first inlet configured to receive a first portion of hot flue        gas from the supercharger box and to inject the first portion        into the inner chamber tangentially, thereby inducing vortex        motion of gases within the inner chamber;    -   a steam generating coil configured in the space outside the        inner chamber and inside the outer chamber; and    -   a second inlet configured to receive a second portion of hot        flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject the second        portion into the space outside the inner chamber and inside the        outer chamber, thereby heating the steam generating coil to        produce steam.

In some embodiments, the fourth chamber further comprises an auger forremoval of solid waste accumulated at the bottom of the inner chamber.

In some embodiments, wherein the fourth chamber further comprises asecondary dryer for partially drying wet solid waste, wherein thesecondary dryer is configured to inject the partially dried solid wastesinto the inner chamber.

In some embodiments, the secondary dryer is configured with an auger forfeeding wet solid waste into the secondary dryer.

In some embodiments, the thermal processing apparatus further comprisestuning cones for controlling the pulse frequency of the pulse jetburner, independently of the power output from the pulse jet burner.

Some embodiments provide a thermal processing apparatus for processingcontaminated liquids and solid wastes, comprising:

-   -   a first chamber, comprising:        -   a water-filled burner chamber, comprising:        -   a pulse jet burner, fully immersed in the water and            comprising:            -   an inlet;            -   an outlet; and                -   a combustion chamber, comprising inner and outer                    walls, wherein the inner wall is thermally insulated                    from the outer wall and is comprised of high                    temperature metal, and wherein the outer wall is in                    contact with the water; and        -   a first steam outlet; and        -   an air-filled supercharger box configured to provide air to            the inlet and outlet of the pulse jet burner;    -   a second chamber, comprising an array of heat exchanger tubes        having a first steam inlet and a second steam outlet, wherein        the first steam inlet is configured to receive steam from the        first steam outlet;    -   a third chamber, comprising an array of coagulator tubes or        plates having a second steam inlet, wherein the second steam        inlet is configured to receive steam from the second steam        outlet; and    -   a fourth chamber, configured as a dryer for wet solid wastes and        comprising:        -   an inner chamber;        -   an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber;        -   a first inlet configured to receive a first portion of hot            flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject the first            portion into the inner chamber tangentially, thereby            inducing vortex motion of gases within the inner chamber;        -   a steam generating coil configured in the space outside the            inner chamber and inside the outer chamber; and        -   a second inlet configured to receive a second portion of hot            flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject the second            portion into the space outside the inner chamber and inside            the outer chamber, thereby heating the steam generating coil            to produce steam.

In some embodiments, the supercharger box further comprises a fanconfigured to raise the air pressure within the supercharger box up to 3atmospheres pressure to enhance the combustion efficiency of the pulsejet burner.

In some embodiments, the combustion chamber further comprises aninjector for injecting fuel between the inner and outer walls forpre-heating, and wherein the inner wall is configured with amultiplicity of openings to enable the pre-heated fuel to enter thecombustion chamber.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third chambers are open atthe bottom into a common volume, and wherein an array ofelectrically-biased plates is configured in the common volume to removedissolved metals from the liquid in the common volume, to magneticallyremove iron, and to hydrolyze water.

In some embodiments, the thermal processing apparatus further comprises:

-   -   an auger for removal of solid waste accumulated within the        common volume; and    -   a gas outlet at the top of the third chamber for venting of        “light ends”.

19. The thermal processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fourthchamber further comprises:

-   -   an auger for removal of solid waste accumulated at the bottom of        the inner chamber; and    -   wherein an auger is configured to inject wet solid waste into        the secondary dryer.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a thermal processing apparatusfor processing contaminated liquids and solid wastes, comprising:

-   -   a first chamber, comprising:        -   a water-filled burner chamber, comprising:        -   a forced draft burner, fully immersed in the water and            comprising:            -   a first outlet;            -   a second outlet; and                -   a combustion chamber; and        -   a first steam outlet; and        -   an air-filled supercharger box configured to provide            pressurized air to the first and second outlets;    -   a second chamber, comprising an array of heat exchanger tubes        having a first steam inlet and a second steam outlet, wherein        the first steam inlet is configured to receive steam from the        first steam outlet;    -   a third chamber, comprising an array of coagulator tubes or        plates having a second steam inlet, wherein the second steam        inlet is configured to receive steam from the second steam        outlet; and    -   a fourth chamber, configured as a dryer for wet solid wastes and        comprising:        -   an inner chamber;        -   an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber;        -   a first inlet configured to receive a first portion of hot            flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject the first            portion into the inner chamber tangentially, thereby            inducing vortex motion of gases within the inner chamber;        -   a steam generating coil configured in the space outside the            inner chamber and inside the outer chamber;        -   a second inlet configured to receive a second portion of hot            flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject the second            portion into the space outside the inner chamber and inside            the outer chamber, thereby heating the steam generating coil            to produce steam; and        -   a secondary dryer for partially drying wet solid waste,            wherein the secondary dryer is configured to inject the            partially dried solid wastes into the inner chamber, and            wherein the secondary dryer comprises an auger configured to            inject wet solid waste into the secondary dryer.

In some embodiments, the supercharger box further comprises a fanconfigured to raise the air pressure within the supercharger box up to 3atmospheres pressure to enhance the combustion efficiency of the forceddraft burner.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third chambers are open atthe bottom into a common volume, and wherein an array ofelectrically-biased plates is configured in the common volume to removedissolved metals from the liquid in the common volume.

In some embodiments, the thermal processing apparatus further comprises:

-   -   an auger for removal of solid waste accumulated within the        common volume; and    -   a gas outlet at the top of the third chamber for venting of        “light ends”.    -   In some embodiments, the fourth chamber further comprises:    -   an auger for removal of solid waste accumulated at the bottom of        the inner chamber; and    -   a secondary dryer for drying wet solid waste, and configured to        inject the dried solid wastes into the inner chamber.    -   Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for thermal        processing of contaminated liquids and solid wastes, comprising:    -   configuring a thermal processing system to comprise:        -   a first chamber, comprising:            -   a water-filled burner chamber, comprising:            -   a pulse jet burner, fully immersed in the water and                comprising:                -   an inlet;                -   an outlet; and                -    a combustion chamber; and            -   a first steam outlet; and            -   an air-filled supercharger box configured to provide air                to the inlet and outlet of the pulse jet burner;        -   a second chamber, comprising an array of heat exchanger            tubes having a first steam inlet and a second steam outlet,            wherein the first steam inlet is configured to receive steam            from the first steam outlet;        -   a third chamber, comprising an array of coagulator tubes or            plates having a second steam inlet, wherein the second steam            inlet is configured to receive steam from the second steam            outlet; and wherein the first, second, and third chambers            are open at the bottom into a common volume;        -   an array of electrically-biased plates configured in the            common volume to remove dissolved metals from the liquid in            the common volume, to magnetically remove iron, and to            hydrolyze water;        -   an auger for removal of solid waste accumulated within the            common volume; and        -   a fourth chamber, comprising:            -   an inner chamber;            -   an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber;            -   a first inlet configured to receive a first portion of                the hot flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject                the first portion into the inner chamber tangentially;            -   a steam generating coil configured in the space outside                the inner chamber and inside the outer chamber; and            -   a second inlet configured to receive a second portion of                the hot flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject                the second portion into the space outside the inner                chamber and inside the outer chamber; and            -   a secondary dryer for partially drying wet solid waste,                wherein the secondary dryer is configured to inject the                partially dried solid wastes into the inner chamber, and                wherein the secondary dryer comprises an auger                configured to inject wet solid waste into the secondary                dryer;    -   burning fuel within the pulse jet burner to:        -   generate hot flue gases;        -   heat the pulse jet burner to a temperature sufficient to            boil water in contact with the outside surfaces of the pulse            jet burner, thereby creating steam; and        -   generate pressure pulses within the water;    -   flowing water into the steam generating coil;    -   directing a first portion of the hot flue gases into the space        outside the inner chamber and inside the outer chamber, thereby        heating the water in the steam generating coil to produce steam;    -   injecting wet solid wastes into the secondary dryer;    -   partially drying the wet solid wastes in the secondary dryer;    -   injecting the partially dried solid wastes into the inner        chamber;    -   directing a second portion of the hot flue gases into the inner        chamber, thereby inducing:        -   vortex motion of gases within the inner chamber; and        -   drying of the partially dried solid waste material;    -   conducting the steam generated by the pulse jet burner to the        heat exchanger tubes, thereby heating and boiling the        contaminated fluids within the second chamber; and    -   conducting the steam from the heat exchanger tubes to the        coagulator tubes to facilitate initial processing of        contaminated fluids.    -   Some embodiments provide a method for thermal processing of        contaminated liquids and solid wastes, comprising:    -   burning fuel within a pulse jet burner to:        -   generate hot flue gases;    -   heat the pulse jet burner to a temperature sufficient to boil        water in contact with the outside surfaces of the pulse jet        burner, thereby creating steam; and        -   generate pressure pulses within the water;    -   flowing water into a steam generating coil;    -   directing a first portion of the hot flue gases into a space        outside an inner chamber and inside of an outer chamber, thereby        heating the water in the steam generating coil to produce steam;    -   injecting wet solid wastes into a secondary dryer;    -   partially drying the wet solid wastes in the secondary dryer;    -   injecting the partially dried solid wastes into the inner        chamber;    -   directing a second portion of the hot flue gases into the inner        chamber, thereby inducing:        -   vortex motion of gases within the inner chamber; and        -   drying of the partially dried solid waste material;    -   conducting the steam generated by the pulse jet burner to heat        exchanger tubes, thereby heating and boiling the contaminated        fluids within a second chamber; and    -   conducting the steam from the heat exchanger tubes to coagulator        tubes to facilitate processing of contaminated fluids.

Although embodiments of the present invention and their advantages aredescribed in detail above and below, it should be understood that thedescribed embodiments are examples only, and that various changes,substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.The scope of the present application is not intended to be limited tothe particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture,composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in thespecification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantiallythe same function or achieve substantially the same result as thecorresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according tothe present invention.

We claim as follows:
 1. A thermal processing apparatus for processingcontaminated liquids and solid wastes, comprising: a first chamber,comprising: a water-filled burner chamber, comprising: a pulse jetburner, fully immersed in the water and having an inlet and an outlet;and a first steam outlet; and an air-filled supercharger box configuredto provide air to the inlet and outlet of the pulse jet burner; a secondchamber, comprising an array of heat exchanger tubes having a firststeam inlet and a second steam outlet, wherein the first steam inlet isconfigured to receive steam from the first steam outlet; and a thirdchamber, comprising an array of coagulator tubes or plates having asecond steam inlet, wherein the second steam inlet is configured toreceive steam from the second steam outlet.
 2. The thermal processingapparatus of claim 1, the supercharger box further comprising a fanconfigured to raise the air pressure within the supercharger box up to 3atmospheres pressure to enhance the combustion efficiency of the pulsejet burner.
 3. The thermal processing apparatus of claim 1, the pulsejet burner comprising a combustion chamber having inner and outer walls,wherein the inner wall is thermally insulated from the outer wall and iscomprised of high temperature metal, and wherein the outer wall is incontact with the water.
 4. The thermal processing apparatus of claim 3,the combustion chamber further comprising an injector for injecting fuelbetween the inner and outer walls for pre-heating, and wherein the innerwall is configured with a multiplicity of openings to enable thepre-heated fuel to enter the combustion chamber.
 5. The thermalprocessing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second chamber furthercomprises a demister at the top of the chamber for removing carry-overliquid droplets from the gas flow exiting from the second chamberthrough the demister.
 6. The thermal processing apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first, second, and third chambers are open at the bottominto a common volume.
 7. The thermal processing apparatus of claim 6,further comprising an array of electrically-biased plates configured inthe common volume to remove dissolved metals from the liquid in thecommon volume, to magnetically remove iron, and to hydrolyze water. 8.The thermal processing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an augerfor removal of solid waste accumulated within the common volume.
 9. Thethermal processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gas outletat the top of the third chamber for venting of “light ends”.
 10. Thethermal processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fourthchamber, configured as a dryer for wet solid wastes and comprising: aninner chamber; an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber; a firstinlet configured to receive a first portion of hot flue gas from thesupercharger box and to inject the first portion into the inner chambertangentially, thereby inducing vortex motion of gases within the innerchamber; a steam generating coil configured in the space outside theinner chamber and inside the outer chamber; and a second inletconfigured to receive a second portion of hot flue gas from thesupercharger box and to inject the second portion into the space outsidethe inner chamber and inside the outer chamber, thereby heating thesteam generating coil to produce steam.
 11. The thermal processingapparatus of claim 10, wherein the fourth chamber further comprises anauger for removal of solid waste accumulated at the bottom of the innerchamber.
 12. The thermal processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein thefourth chamber further comprises a secondary dryer for partially dryingwet solid waste, wherein the secondary dryer is configured to inject thepartially dried solid wastes into the inner chamber.
 13. The thermalprocessing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the secondary dryer isconfigured with an auger for feeding wet solid waste into the secondarydryer.
 14. The thermal processing apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising tuning cones for controlling the pulse frequency of the pulsejet burner, independently of the power output from the pulse jet burner.14-24. (canceled)
 25. A method for thermal processing of contaminatedliquids and solid wastes, comprising: configuring a thermal processingsystem to comprise: a first chamber, comprising: a water-filled burnerchamber, comprising: a pulse jet burner, fully immersed in the water andcomprising:  an inlet;  an outlet; and  a combustion chamber; and afirst steam outlet; and an air-filled supercharger box configured toprovide air to the inlet and outlet of the pulse jet burner; a secondchamber, comprising an array of heat exchanger tubes having a firststeam inlet and a second steam outlet, wherein the first steam inlet isconfigured to receive steam from the first steam outlet; a thirdchamber, comprising an array of coagulator tubes or plates having asecond steam inlet, wherein the second steam inlet is configured toreceive steam from the second steam outlet; and wherein the first,second, and third chambers are open at the bottom into a common volume;an array of electrically-biased plates configured in the common volumeto remove dissolved metals from the liquid in the common volume, tomagnetically remove iron, and to hydrolyze water; an auger for removalof solid waste accumulated within the common volume; and a fourthchamber, comprising: an inner chamber; an outer chamber surrounding theinner chamber; a first inlet configured to receive a first portion ofthe hot flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject the firstportion into the inner chamber tangentially; a steam generating coilconfigured in the space outside the inner chamber and inside the outerchamber; and a second inlet configured to receive a second portion ofthe hot flue gas from the supercharger box and to inject the secondportion into the space outside the inner chamber and inside the outerchamber; and a secondary dryer for partially drying wet solid waste,wherein the secondary dryer is configured to inject the partially driedsolid wastes into the inner chamber, and wherein the secondary dryercomprises an auger configured to inject wet solid waste into thesecondary dryer; burning fuel within the pulse jet burner to: generatehot flue gases; heat the pulse jet burner to a temperature sufficient toboil water in contact with the outside surfaces of the pulse jet burner,thereby creating steam; and generate pressure pulses within the water;flowing water into the steam generating coil; directing a first portionof the hot flue gases into the space outside the inner chamber andinside the outer chamber, thereby heating the water in the steamgenerating coil to produce steam; injecting wet solid wastes into thesecondary dryer; partially drying the wet solid wastes in the secondarydryer; injecting the partially dried solid wastes into the innerchamber; directing a second portion of the hot flue gases into the innerchamber, thereby inducing: vortex motion of gases within the innerchamber; and drying of the partially dried solid waste material;conducting the steam generated by the pulse jet burner to the heatexchanger tubes, thereby heating and boiling the contaminated fluidswithin the second chamber; and conducting the steam from the heatexchanger tubes to the coagulator tubes to facilitate initial processingof contaminated fluids.
 26. (canceled)
 27. The thermal processingapparatus of claim 12, wherein the steam from the steam generating coilis injected tangentially into the secondary dryer, thereby inducingvortex motion of gases within the secondary dryer.
 28. The thermalprocessing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the hot flue gases from thespace outside the inner chamber and inside the outer chamber, areinjected tangentially into the secondary dryer, thereby inducing vortexmotion of gases within the secondary dryer.
 29. A method for thermalprocessing of contaminated liquids and solid wastes, comprising: burningfuel within a pulse jet burner, wherein the pulse jet burner is fullyimmersed in water inside a first chamber, and wherein the burningprocess is pulsing, to: generate hot flue gases; heat the pulse jetburner to a temperature sufficient to boil water in contact with theoutside surfaces of the pulse jet burner, thereby creating steam; andgenerate pressure pulses within the water; flowing water into a steamgenerating coil, configured in a space outside an inner chamber andinside an outer chamber; and directing a first portion of the hot fluegases into the space outside the inner chamber and inside the outerchamber, thereby heating the water in the steam generating coil toproduce steam.
 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: injectingwet solid wastes into a secondary dryer; partially drying the wet solidwastes in the secondary dryer; injecting the partially dried solidwastes into the inner chamber; and directing a second portion of the hotflue gases into the inner chamber, thereby inducing: vortex motion ofgases within the inner chamber; and drying of the partially dried solidwaste material.
 31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:conducting the steam generated by the pulse jet burner to a multiplicityof heat exchanger tubes, thereby heating and boiling contaminated fluidswithin a second chamber; and conducting the steam from the multiplicityof heat exchanger tubes to a multiplicity of coagulator tubes tofacilitate initial processing of contaminated fluids within a thirdchamber.